Brain Building
One of the most important things parents and caregivers can do in the early years of a child’s life is to read with them. Sitting with your child on your lap while reading not only helps to prepare them for school but also creates memories and strengthens your bond with them. While they enjoy this reading time with you, you are showing them that reading is fun, exciting and something they like to do.
Try incorporating these Active Reading strategies. It’s as easy as ABC!
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children from birth to age five, through funding shared by Dolly Parton and local community partners in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Republic of Ireland.
Raising a Reader
This evidence-based program helps caring adults set their children up for success by creating shared reading routines, fostering social emotional learning, healthy family relationships and learning skills needed to thrive in school and beyond.
New Books--Good Looks Literacy Initiative
Eight barber and beauty shops in Moore County are preparing young brains for school and inspiring a new generation of readers.
Summer Reading Stations
To combat the summer reading slide for children, GMR establishes outdoor reading stations at various locations in Moore County during the summer months. These stations offer children a new age-appropriate book, drinks and snacks, and provide valuable information and resources to their caregivers. Stations consist of paid interns and volunteers to help guide families on the importance of reading and spending time together everyday. Storytellers can often be seen reading to families as they visit the sites.
Vroom
The Vroom app helps to make every moment with your child a brain building moment whether you are in the grocery store, waiting at the doctor's office, having bathtime or snuggling on your couch. Vroom gives you age-appropriate, fast, free tips to engage your child while boosting their brain power. Then Vroom tells you the brainy science behind each tip. Vroom also has Vroom by Text ™, an Alexa skill, and print at home resources.
Motheread/Fatheread® Program
Moore County Literacy Council’s Motheread/Fatheread program teaches parents how to select age-appropriate books, read to their children, extend the story line of each book, learn about child development, and introduce parents to adult literature. All parents and caregivers with at least one child living in the home who is between birth and 5 years old are eligible to attend. Expecting parents are also welcome. To find out more information, contact Nancy Bryant at 910-692-5954 or nancy@mcliteracy.org.
Talking is Teaching
"Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing" is a great website for parents to get ideas on how to turn everyday actions into learning time. They also have downloadable themed content bundles which include book recommendations, posters, parent tip sheets, social media posts, and more—all designed to build children’s early brain and language development through talking, reading, and singing.
Zero to Three
ZERO TO THREE is another staple website for parents which is based on the belief that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to raising children. They offer information and tools which are designed to support parents in developing their own ways to promote their children’s growth and development. Add them on Facebook to see their wonderful tips in your news feed while you scroll!